National men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik advanced to the second round of the Indian Open, while it was the end of the road for teammates Yap Roy King–Wan Arif Wan Junaidi.
The world No. 2 duo were leading 21-12, 11-6 against junior teammates Aaron Tai–Kang Khai Xing when the match was halted after the younger Aaron was forced to retire due to a back injury at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi on Wednesday (Jan 14).
It is understood that Aaron Tai experienced back pain and was unable to continue the match.
Fresh from finishing runners-up at the Malaysian Open on Sunday (Jan 11), Aaron–Wooi Yik will next face Japan’s world No. 35 pairing of Takumi Nomura–Yuichi Shimogami.
Nomura–Shimogami booked their place after edging world No. 17 Roy King–Arif in a hard-fought 64-minute encounter, winning 26-28, 21-18, 22-20.
Meanwhile, independent pair Chia Weijie–Lwi Shenghao also exited the tournament following a 18-21, 15-21 defeat to Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa–Kyohei Yamashita.
